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Monday, April 2, 2012

A Happy Birthday

I celebrated my 32nd birthday today!

Birthdays aren't quite as exciting as they once were before kids, but in a way they are much better. I felt the love today! I was surrounded by those I love most, and that is way better than any present! Instead of mourning the fact that I'm another year older, I choose to celebrate another year lived. Age is just a number. I still feel like I'm in my twenties!

I may not have partied it up, but my birthday was perfect. Lexie and Dylan wished me happy birthday a gazillion times. Lily's grin made my day, and she surprised me with tooth #3 and crawling the correct way. Grant and I had an awesome workout at the park, while the sun shone down on us. We had a playdate at the library with my best friend and her boys. Dylan and Lexie were so excited to give me my presents. In the afternoon, my parents, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law stopped by with cake and presents. My mom gave me a DVD compiled of video clips from my teenage years, and the kids got a kick out of watching it. Grant, the kids, and I had dinner at The Olive Garden. Once home, they sang happy birthday to me, and we had cake. The rest of the evening was spent with Grant.

Last year, on this day, my heart was full, and my belly was full.

Last year, I couldn't imagine being any happier. But I am! Each birthday just keeps getting better!

Today was perfect. I hope I am just as blessed on every birthday to come!

Happy Birthday! Okay, I seriously need to have another girl, I need to dress them in adorable matching outfits...your girls are sooo cute (Dylan too). Class of '98 rocks (or something like that), 32 is just around the corner for me too. Your cake looked delicious!

Happy Birthday (a little late)! I LOVE matching my girls or coordinating their outfits:)... so fun! I LOVE your yellow striped shirt/sweater... did you get it recently and if so, where? I always see stuff I like but then people say... "oh I've had it forever!"

STEFANIE

I'm Stefanie. Stay at home mom of four. Wife to Grant. Youngest of 8 kids. Aunt to 22 kids. Mamarazzi. Lover of sweets, hot tea, reading, writing, and musical theater. Horse-back rider (when I get the chance!). Champion Multi-Tasker. On a mission to show the world that Down Syndrome is nothing to fear!

GRANT

Grant and I met when we were cast as Adam and Eve in a musical. We were young, but a year and a half later, we got married! Fast forward 14 years, and here we are! Grant works in the mortgage industry, and is a trivia whiz! He knows everything about music, movies, and TV. He also loves baseball, football, and video games.

DYLAN

Dylan is 10 years old. He was our miracle baby. He tried to come into the world at 30 weeks, but managed to stay put until 35 weeks, when he arrived completely healthy! He is outgoing, friendly, compassionate, and incredibly smart. He loves Minecraft, Halo, Legos, baseball, and frogs. He is the most loving boy I've ever met, and is an amazing big brother!

ALEXANDRIA

Lexie is our 8 year old princess. She loves singing, dancing, fashion, and reading. She always has her beloved BunBun with her. Answers to the nicknames Bean, Beanie, or The Bean! She is the perfect blend of sweet and sassy!

LILIANA

Lily is our ridiculously adorable and funny 3 year old! She is so sweet, so loving, so happy, and full of energy! She loves fancy clothes, high heels, playing with her sibling and friends, and cuddling with her baby brother. Oh, and she thinks she is Elsa.

LIAM

Our sweet baby boy was born on August 18, 2013! He surprised us with a Down Syndrome diagnosis at birth. He showed us all that Down Syndrome is nothing to fear. He is perfectly healthy and beautiful. His smile is contagious and his joy is infectious! We are so in love with this amazing little man!